Rochester’s economy is anchored by a mix of industries, including healthcare, education, technology, and manufacturing, creating numerous career opportunities for legal professionals. Major employers attract attorneys with expertise in healthcare law, intellectual property, and corporate compliance. With a strong presence of both established corporations and emerging startups, Rochester’s legal market offers varied roles across sectors, making it an attractive destination for legal professionals seeking a balance of stability and growth.
Biggest Law Firms in Rochester
- Harter Secrest & Emery LLP: Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, originally founded is 1894, is a law firm offering a variety of legal services to a broad client base, from family-owned enterprises, to individuals, to Fortune 100 companies and large regional institutions. With locations in Rochester, Buffalo, Corning, Albany, and New York City, the firm offers expertise in areas such as corporate law, litigation, real estate, and intellectual property. Harter Secrest & Emery is recognized for its client-focused approach and commitment to delivering top-notch legal services.
- Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP: Established in 1852, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP has been a part of Western New York for over 160 years. The firm has a national and worldwide reach from its headquarters in Rochester, NY, and offices in Buffalo, NY, and Phoenix, AZ. Woods Oviatt Gilman offers a wide range of legal services, including corporate law, real estate, litigation, and trusts and estates. The firm is known for its deep roots in the community and its dedication to client service.
- Nixon Peabody LLP: Nixon Peabody LLP is a global law firm with more than 600 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide. The Rochester office provides services in areas such as corporate law, intellectual property, and litigation. Nixon Peabody is recognized for its innovative approach to client service and has been ranked among the top firms in the Am Law 100.
- Harris Beach PLLC: Founded in 1856, Harris Beach PLLC is a full-service law firm with more than 200 attorneys across multiple offices in New York State. The Rochester office offers services in areas such as business and commercial litigation, real estate, and labor and employment law. Harris Beach is known for its commitment to client service and its involvement in the community.
- Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC: Established in 1897, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC is a full-service law firm with more than 250 attorneys across offices in New York, Florida, and Kansas. The Rochester office provides services in areas such as labor and employment, intellectual property, and litigation. Bond, Schoeneck & King is recognized for its client-focused approach and its dedication to delivering high-quality legal services.
- Barclay Damon LLP: Barclay Damon LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 275 attorneys across offices in the Northeastern United States and Toronto. The Rochester office offers services in areas such as energy law, intellectual property, and litigation. Barclay Damon is known for its innovative approach to client service and its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy LLP: Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy LLP is a boutique litigation firm based in Rochester, New York. The firm specializes in complex civil litigation, including commercial disputes, product liability, and professional liability. Ward Greenberg is recognized for its trial experience and its commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for its clients.
- Underberg & Kessler LLP: Founded in 1926, Underberg & Kessler LLP is a full-service law firm with locations in Rochester, Buffalo, Geneseo, and Canandaigua, New York. The firm offers services in areas such as corporate law, real estate, and trusts and estates. Underberg & Kessler is known for its client-focused approach and its dedication to delivering high-quality legal services.
- Phillips Lytle LLP: Established in 1834, Phillips Lytle LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 180 attorneys across offices in New York, Washington, D.C., and Canada. The Rochester office provides services in areas such as corporate law, environmental law, and litigation. Phillips Lytle is recognized for its commitment to client service and its involvement in the community.
- Gallo & Iacovangelo, LLP: Gallo & Iacovangelo, LLP is a full-service law firm based in Rochester, New York. The firm offers services in areas such as family law, real estate, and personal injury. Gallo & Iacovangelo is known for its client-focused approach and its dedication to delivering high-quality legal services.
Rochester
Rochester’s legal market is driven by its strengths in healthcare, education, and technology. Lawyers in Rochester often focus on healthcare regulations, intellectual property, and corporate law, serving the city’s renowned medical institutions and growing tech sector. The city’s blend of innovation and established industries offers legal professionals opportunities in regulatory compliance, patents, and commercial litigation, making Rochester an appealing environment for diverse legal work.
Biggest Companies Employing Lawyers
Securing a legal position with one of Rochester’s major employers often requires a specialized approach, and working with a legal recruiter can improve placement chances. Rochester’s largest companies span industries like healthcare, technology, and education, each creating demand for skilled legal professionals.
- University of Rochester and UR Medicine: Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is one of the largest employers in Rochester, with over 30,000 employees. As a top-tier research university and health system, it requires legal expertise in healthcare compliance, intellectual property, and employment law, making it a prime employer for attorneys with a focus on education and healthcare.
- Rochester Regional Health: With a team of over 19,000 employees, Rochester Regional Health is another major healthcare provider in the region, necessitating legal support in areas like medical malpractice, regulatory compliance, and healthcare administration. The system’s continuous growth offers steady demand for healthcare attorneys.
- Eastman Kodak Company: A historical cornerstone of Rochester, Eastman Kodak, founded in 1888, still plays a significant role in the city’s business landscape. With a focus on imaging technology and commercial print, Kodak’s legal team works on intellectual property cases, regulatory compliance, and international trade law, ideal for lawyers with expertise in technology.
- Paychex, Inc.: Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Rochester, Paychex provides payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions with a workforce of around 15,000. Its legal team manages compliance, data privacy, and labor law issues, making it a key employer for those with HR and corporate law experience.
- Constellation Brands: This international producer of beer, wine, and spirits, founded in 1945, has its headquarters in nearby Victor, New York. With over 10,000 employees, Constellation Brands requires legal support in areas like trademark law, mergers and acquisitions, and alcohol regulations, offering unique roles for attorneys specializing in corporate and regulatory law.
- Harris Corporation: Known for its communications technology, Harris Corporation has a strong presence in Rochester. Attorneys at Harris work on intellectual property, government contracts, and cybersecurity law, reflecting the company’s emphasis on secure communications for defense and public safety.
